Nine months ago, Miami Lakes resident Alex Garcia and his wife, Sara Castillo, opened their Orange Theory Fitness (OTF) franchise inside the Royal Oaks Shopping Plaza.Orange Theory is a one-of-a-kind workout system broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training, using a variety of equipment including treadmills, rowing machines, TRX suspension training and free weights, to tone the average fitness body and gain energy throughout the day.

Garcia said Miami Lakes area residents have responded enthusiastically over Orange Theory’s workout regimes and the facility’s passionate professional trainers.Orange Theory released successful testimonials from two of its members – Rafael Pizarro, 40-years-old, and Alina Linares, 44-years-old.

Pizarro became a member in February with medical and physical goals he had to meet. His mother passed away in December 2012 from stomach cancer. He said her lack of exercise and bad eating habits did not help her cause. That was his motivation to start taking care of his health and body.

Pizarro, a father of two children, 2 and 5-years-old, now makes time to exercise four to five times a week with 100 percent support from his wife, Ileana.Before he joined OTF, Pizarro had diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, anxiety disorder and no doctor visits for 10 years. He was a member at a local gym for four years and only attended 20 times.

After joining OTF, all of Pizarro’s medical levels are controlled and he has enjoyed significant physical transformation including weight down from 294 to 252 pounds in six months, pants size down from 48” to 40”, and shirt size down from 3XL to XL, Pizarro was able to pass the physical exam to get his DOT certification and he completed his first mud run 5K in April.

“Orange Theory motivates me,” he said. “If I would go now to a normal gym, I wouldn’t be motivated.”

Alina Linares also joined OTF in February. Prior to that, her exercise routine consisted of 45 minutes on a treadmill and no weight training four times a week at a local gym. She followed the routine for four months and saw no success.

Other than losing weight, Linares’ main goal was to better her health and as a diabetic, she wanted to discontinue the use of insulin injections. She proudly reports that OTF has helped her accomplish that goal and is now off insulin. Along the way she also lost 25 pounds.

“I have more energy now and I’m not bored coming to the gym like I was before,” she said. “It’s a change of lifestyle. I get frustrated when I don’t work out now.”

Linares said a big motivating factor is the heart rate monitor system that displays on the screen with her name.

“I feel motivated watching the calories that I’m burning on the screen.”

Orange Theory Fitness is located at 15490-B N.W. 77 Court in the Royal Oaks Shopping Plaza. For more information, call 305-824-0420, or visit www.orangetheoryfitness.com.